I had the pleasure of working with James and Johanna Ward on a magazine and some other projects years ago, and even wound up eating dinner with him in the footage of a St. Patty's day report (he recruited me off a barstool when he walked in and recognized me).
His Bread and Circuses reports were fun fare, but certainly the format and audience limited real reviews and critiques he might have done (and I think did do previously as a newspaper food critic). I relished the short times I did get to talk food with him, and I really prized those opinions.
He was always articulately professional, while at the same time being a true unique character, and a whole lot of fun.